Shloka 15
वालिवधः — Vālī’s Fall and Dharma-Accusation
Kiṣkindhā Sarga 17
तं दृष्ट्वा राघवं वाली लक्ष्मणं च महाबलम्।अब्रवीत्प्रश्रितं वाक्यं परुषं धर्मसंहितम्4.17.13।।त्वं नराधिपतेः पुत्रः प्रथितः प्रियदर्शनःकुलीनस्सत्त्वसम्पन्न स्तेजस्वी चरितव्रतः।।4.17.14।।पराङ्मुखवधं कृत्वा कोऽत्र प्राप्तस्त्वया गुणः।यदहं युद्धसंरब्धश्शरेणोरसि ताडित:4.17.15।।
parāṅmukha-vadhaṁ kṛtvā ko ’tra prāptas tvayā guṇaḥ |
yad ahaṁ yuddha-saṁrabdhaḥ śareṇorasi tāḍitaḥ ||
ฆ่าผู้ที่หันหลังให้แล้ว ท่านได้บุญคุณอันใดเล่า? ข้ากำลังรบอย่างเต็มที่อยู่ แต่ถูกศรของท่านปักกลางอก
On seeing powerful Rama and Lakshmana approaching,Vali spoke with pride and rigteousness to Rama, 'You are a prince, born of a noble family, son of a renowned king. You are famous, brilliant, handsome and follower of good practices.Having hit me when I was engaged otherwise in an encounter what merit have you gained?'
FAQs
Vāli appeals to the dharma of fair combat: striking or killing an opponent who is not facing you (parāṅmukha) is portrayed as ethically blameworthy and not a source of true ‘guṇa’ (moral credit).
After being shot by Rāma during his duel with Sugrīva, the mortally wounded Vāli challenges Rāma’s action, questioning the righteousness of an unseen/indirect strike during combat.
Vāli emphasizes the warrior-code ideal of frontal, acknowledged engagement—courage and fairness in battle—as the proper standard for royal/heroic conduct.